"Cause baby we're just reckless kids, trying to find an island in the flood."

Despite it being in the colder months, the weather was awfully nice. It was quite breezy, but it wasn't too breezy to the point you needed a winter coat. It was odd that out of all days, this would be the day that the weather decided to be good.

"I bet that's Ozzie's doing."

Lia turned, her sad eyes landing on Sam. The girl was dressed in black dress pants and a black blouse, the same color most of the friend group wore.

Sam smiled softly at Lia, who turned back to the window. The sun shined in, basking heat down on the redhead. She just smoothed her black dress out, tapping her fingertips along the fabric.

"Yeah, I'd like to think so." She responded.

"He'd be proud of everything you've done, Lia. The funeral was absolutely beautiful, and I'm sure that his parents appreciated everything you and Ken have done to help them." Sam stood directly next to the girl.

"I hope so," Lia said. She'd already cried off all the light mascara she wore today, and despite feeling extreme sadness, she still couldn't help but feel like more tears were about to fall.

"He was amazing to have a friend like you," Sam spoke as she trailed her fingers along the windowsill. "Your house is beautiful as well."

"That's thanks to my dad. He's been maintaining it since before I was born." Lia motioned a hand around the dining room.

Guests were littered in and out of the house, mostly consisting of the people the Hale family had invited. Because a lot of Ozzie's friends were here, and Ken offered to pay for everything including the cremation, the people that were able to make it traveled to New York for a small get-together. They had it at the Murphy house, even going as far as to offer up a few extra rooms for his family to sleep.

It was the most they could do, after all, considering they lost their son.

"Hey," Lia said, catching Sam's attention. "Thanks for not killing Ethan."

"Why would I do that?" Sam asked, her brows bunching together.

"I know he may not have been involved in what Quinn and Detective Bailey were doing, but he still knew about it. People died because of it," Lia said.

Sam glanced around, her eyes landing on Ethan. He was in the middle of a conversation with Chad, one that seemed to be solemn and sad. Her eyes bounced back to Lia, who hadn't even bothered looking to see where he was at.

"Hey, you forgave him right?" Sam asked, touching Lia's arm.

She looked over at the girl, unable to read the expression on her face. "For lying, right?"

Lia nodded, her fingers tapping along the windowsill. They were freshly cleaned, as she spent a while cleaning the house with her dad to prep for today.

"So why couldn't we?" Sam asked.

"Because it's easier for me than you guys. You, Mindy, Tara, and Chad? You've all been through this before. Being hurt by someone you called your friend when they knew what you've been through before can just make it harder to forgive someone." Lia tried her best to explain, seeming to struggle to find the words. "I've never dealt with this till now."

"Meaning you now know what it's like to go through this." Sam rested a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "Look, Ethan explained everything to us, when we all sat in Chad's room in the hospital. He's really sorry, and I feel bad for being suspicious of him at first. But things happen, and he was pressured by his shitty dad. His entire family, save for him and his mother, were just like my ex-boyfriend, and so I can only imagine the horror he felt when he had to watch his friends die because of his own family's decisions. What matters is he came in there, he saved us, and he did what he could to stop it. He's only human, it'd be wrong of us to forgive him."

"You're right, I guess I was just worried in the sense that my father and I were going to be the only ones that understood. I was more worried for you guys than anyone else considering you guys came here to start new lives." Lia took in a sharp breath.

"Hey, as long as he doesn't wind up going crazy the way his family did, then we're all good." Sam sent a nod her way, "Mindy's only alive because of him."

"Yeah, I guess I just wanted to make sure I understood your perspective on everything," Lia said. "As stupid as that sounds."

"No, I get it. I was hooking up with the guy in the apartment across the way 'cause I was too afraid to admit it to anyone." Sam sent a smile.

Lia nodded, trying to find the words to respond. Before she could, however, an older woman and man walked up to the duo.

Sam's smile fell as she immediately noticed that it was Ozzie's parents, and she touched Lia's arm gently before excusing herself.

This left the girl alone with the older couple, who held a stack of envelopes in their hands. "Ophelia?" The older woman, Helen, asked.

"I'm really sorry for your loss, Mr. and Mrs. Hale." Lia sniffled tears away, glancing between the two.

"We're sorry for your loss as well. From what everyone here has told us, he meant so much to you." The man rested his hands on his wife's shoulders.

"He did," Lia said. "He's the one that helped me start my first year of college, along with a few other things."

"He was an amazing kid," Mr. Hale spoke with a nod.

"He left these-" Mrs. Hale motioned to the envelopes in her hand. "I don't know what's in all of them, I didn't want to invade his privacy like that. But after reading ours, I think it's safe to say that he knew there was a chance he- he wouldn't make it."

Lia's eyebrows bunched, her eyes filling with even more tears as she stared at the crisp envelopes. "He left notes?" She asked, her hands growing shaky.

"For most people. One for each of us, one for his little brother to open when he's old enough," Mr. Hale began.

"One for his friends and all back home, then there was one for Cleo, Jonah, you, and an Ethan Landry?" Mrs. Hale finished, looking through the leftover stack. "Do you know an Ethan?"

"Yeah, h-he's my boyfriend," Lia said. Her eyes finally landed on the boy across the room, who'd already had his focus on her. Her eyes quickly bounced back in front of her, the woman holding the two envelopes out.

"I trust you'll give him his then?"

"Of course," Lia spoke, shakily taking them. She pressed them to her stomach, her body filling with butterflies as she was almost too afraid to open hers.

"We thank you guys lots for this beautiful memoriam," Mr. Hale then spoke up, catching Lia's attention again.

"It was the least we could do, really. I-I just want you guys to know," Lia began, taking in a shaky breath. "When- when he died-" She stopped, feeling a sob creeping up her throat.

His parents looked at her in confusion, the man just holding onto his wife tighter. Lia breathed out deeply, tapping her fingertips against her stomach.

"I would be dead if it weren't for Ozzie," She breathed out. "I was with him, when he died, and I held him until the end."

Tears streamed down both of his parents' faces, the man just nodding.

"I know, sweetie." Mrs. Hale said, "Your father told us everything."

"I tried- I tried to help him," Lia couldn't help but cry out.

"We know," Mr. Hale confirmed. "We're just grateful he had the heart he did."

"And that the person he sacrificed himself for was someone worth saving," Mrs. Hale finished.

Lia's face twisted with sadness, another hit of realization hitting her like a truck. "I'm glad you enjoy-enjoy the ceremony. If you'll excuse me." She gently moved around the older couple, her pace quickening as she made her way up the empty staircase.

She managed to hold herself together until she got to her bedroom, her hand covering her mouth as she let out a muffled sob. It had already been hard enough with everything happening what felt like so soon, but now knowing his parents knew everything and how they felt - not to mention he'd left her a note, she was feeling everything all over again, ten times harder than before.

A soft knock on the door caused her to wipe her cheeks, turning just as the door opened to reveal Ethan. He had been in an all-black suit, his hair styled together perfectly. He looked cute, despite the occasion.

"You shouldn't be alone at a time like this," He mumbled. He walked in completely, shutting the door behind him.

"I just didn't want to break down in front of-of his parents," She stuttered out, sniffling. Glancing down, she remembered the envelopes. She held his out to him, ignoring the look of confusion on his face. "He left this for you."

"For- for me?" Ethan stepped closer. He took it from her, almost immediately opening it.

Lia watched patiently as he straightened the paper out, immediately reading the note.

Ethan,

If you're reading this, that means I didn't survive the Ghostface attack in NYC. I wrote out a few notes, and I guess this one's yours. Take care of Lia, that's all I have to say. Make sure Cleo's coping well, and Amanda too despite the fact that she and I weren't all that close. I see the way you look at Lia, I know you're absolutely in love with her. And I trust you'll take good care of her because she deserves the entire world - and I think you can give it to her. Thanks for being a friend, man.

"What's it say?" Lia softly asked.

"Um, he just wants me to make sure everyone's coping okay." Ethan folded the paper up, shoving it in his jacket pocket. "What's yours say?"

"I haven't read it," Lia spoke with a sigh. She walked over to her bed, sitting on the side. "I'm afraid."

"Why?" Ethan followed after, copying her actions.

"I don't know what it's going to say," She admitted.

"I'll be here if you want to read it now," Ethan offered. "I won't read it or anything, I'll just sit right here for support."

"Okay," She breathed out, realizing that this was something that needed to be done. The curiosity was going to kill her eventually, so she just needed to rip it off like a band-aid.

She gently ripped the envelope open, the letters immediately causing her heart to beat faster. She stared at the paper full of words for a long moment before beginning to read it.

Lia,

Thank for you being the best friend a guy could ask for. You made my college experience ten times better, along with the rest of our weird friend group. If you're reading this, I'm no longer around, and I just want to let you know that it's okay to let go. Despite no longer being around physically, I'll always be there for you in your heart. I know I sound like a cheesy boyfriend writing from across the seas, but I'm being completely honest. I love you, and you're the best platonic love a guy could ask for. Let yourself be happy, with Ethan. The number of times I walked in on you guys almost making out was ridiculous, and the guy would probably be willing to do anything for you just like I would. Literally everyone knows you guys are like together or in Amanda's words 'eye-fucking'. Keep being you, and we'll see each other again someday. 

Love, Ozzie

Tears streamed down Lia's cheeks, a sob beginning to escape her lips. Ethan leaned forward, gently taking the paper and setting it on her nightstand. He then pulled her into his arms, letting her cry.

Lia held onto Ethan tightly, letting herself feel all of the emotions she needed to feel. Despite it feeling like she cried over Ozzie every day, she had yet to actually let it sink in to the point where she accepted it. She was still in denial, feeling like it was a cruel, sick, prank that someone was playing on her. 

That Ozzie would walk through the door at any second.

"It's okay, baby, let it all out," Ethan mumbled against her messy hair, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Everything's going to be okay."

++

"Thanks for coming," Ethan mumbled to Lia and Ken, who drove them to the place Ethan had called 'home' before everything happened.

"Don't mention it, kid." Ken stopped the car in front of the house, "How long do you think you'll need to pack up everything?"

"Not sure." Ethan shook his head, his eyes never leaving the house.

"Well, Lia, you could just call when you're ready?" Ken offered, to which Lia nodded.

The two climbed out of the truck, slowly beginning to make their way to the house. Ethan shakily unlocked the door, nothing but silence surrounding them as they entered. The last time Ethan had been in here was when he stormed out when Quinn threatened Lia's life.

Lia watched carefully as Ethan looked around, seeming to not know where to go first. It was messy, as the house had been turned upside down for evidence. He made his way down the hall to the bedroom, one of the only few rooms untouched.

The room seemed to be bland, not much in here minus a few things. Lia didn't say anything, just patiently waited as Ethan glanced nervously around the items in the room.

"You know, we didn't have to do this right after the memorial," Ethan spoke as he turned to the girl, who just sent him a look.

"It's all you've been worrying about, and my dad doesn't get many days off nowadays." Lia shrugged, "Are you okay?" 

"I will be. Not much in here anyway." Ethan sighed as he walked over, sitting on the side of the bed.

Lia stayed still at first, but finally caved in and followed him once he looked up at her. His eyes were sad, although there were no tears. He watched as she slowly sat next to him, her hands twisting together.

He reached over, grabbing her hand. "I'm okay, promise."

"It's okay to feel something, Ethan." Lia looked over at the boy, "You see me feel all the time, it's okay if you want to cry."

"As bad as it sounds, I don't want to cry. I don't have any tears at all, really." Ethan shook his head, "Maybe I'm a monster for that, but despite the sadness I no longer have a family, I know they're no longer terrorizing people anymore."

"You're not a monster, Ethan," Lia mumbled, "You also have a family, you know."

Ethan looked over at her, his eyes bouncing between hers and her lips. She tightened her grip on his hands, looking up at his face. "You have me, and my dad, and our friends. That's more than enough family, even if it isn't blood. Blood doesn't always equal family."

The boy nodded, seeming to understand exactly what she was saying. "All I ever really wanted was to be loved, honestly."

"And you are," Lia said. "Ethan I love you so much, more than anything else in the world."

"I love you too, Ophelia."

It was silent for a moment before the girl leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Ethan gratefully took her kiss, his arms wrapping around her as he pulled her onto his lap. The two stayed like that for a while, their mouths moving in sync while Lia ran her fingers through Ethan's curly hair.

Soon enough, Ethan was flipping them over, leaning Lia straight on the bed. He hovered over her, his lips staying attached to hers as he pressed himself between her legs. They were completely and utterly lost in each other, their minds not giving any second thought about anything else except for each other.

Ethan pulled away from Lia for a moment, the girl watching him with nothing but love as he discarded his suit jacket to the side. He then went to remove his tie, struggling for just a moment as the knot had been tied super tight. He began to unbutton his dress shirt immediately after, but the frown appearing on Lia's features caused him to stop. "What's wrong? Am I doing something wrong?"

"No, not at all." The girl shook her head, "I just don't want you to think you need to do this. I don't want to take advantage of you."

"You're not, baby," Ethan muttered. He leaned down to her, pressing a kiss to her jawline. "I want to be yours, completely and fully."

"Really?" She asked, rubbing a thumb along his cheek.

"Of course, I want you now and for the rest of my life, no matter what happens."

++

2809 words.

The last chapter! I hope it wasn't too cheesy, part of me was unsure how to end it, but I hope this was more than enough justice for Lia and Ethan's story.

Thank you all who decided to be a part of and read this! I'm sorry if you weren't included as much as you had hoped, or that you didn't get a LI the way you wanted. I will say that the people who survived this book will most likely be in the next book, although that won't come out for a long time since I'm waiting until after the next Scream movie so I know how to involve it to fit my storyline.

I do have two other stories posted, if you'd like to check them out! As of right now since I've finished this, my main focus will be on my Jonah Marais story titled Hard Boy (used to be titled Faithfully). In the meantime, I have a Jack Champion story titled Burlesque out with a cast call, in case you'd like a character! That will be my focus after the Jonah story, and eventually I'll be posting a Chad fic amongst a few other ideas!

Thank you all for the support <3 I'm sad to see the story come to an end, but they'll definitely be back ;) If you give me a follow you'll be aware when the next story drops, whenever that might be.

* This chapter is not edited *